This was far from Brakes' best performance of the season, but it was the result that counted as the league leaders put one hand on the Polymac Services MFA trophy with victory at bottom club Cradley Town.

 

With the defeat of nearest rivals Romulus at Quorn, just three more points are needed from the last six matches to guarantee the title. What better way to set up the local derby against Racing Club Warwick on Easter Monday?

 

In the absence of leading scorer Ben Mackey and the injured Martin Thompson, there was a new strike partnership in Avun Jephcott and Dave Pearson. After bagging a hat-tirck on Tuesday night against Atherstone Town, Jephcott was very much the centre of attention, but had a disappointing game, being substituted in favour of the returning Josh Blake in the 65th minute.

 

By then Brakes had established a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jamie Towers and Jon Adams. The first 20 minutes had been frustrating with the bone hard pitch making ball control and passing difficult. When Brakes did find a way through, home 'keeper Paul Maynard (one of only four players remaining from the squad that had lost 3-0 at the New Windmill back in September) was up to the challenge. Added to this was some wayward shooting from the Brakes attack that seemed intent on making life as difficult as possible in the search for the points needed to secure the championship.

 

The opening goal came on 24 minutes when a good cross form the industrious James Husband found its way into a crowded goalmouth where Jamie Towers was on hand to stab the ball home for his 8th goal of the season. Jon Adams then went close after taking advantage of a mis-kick by defender Jamie Nicholls before calming the nerves of the Brakes travelling faithful by scoring the second in the 32nd minute after good work by Adam Cooper and Pearson.

 

The sun continued to beat down as the second half got underway and, although not quite qualifying for the title of Costa Del Cradley, the crowd of 203, by far the best of the season at Beeches View, were beginning to enjoy themselves. At least the vocal visiting fans were and, after more chances had gone begging, Jamie Towers sprung the off-side trap on 74 minutes to score his second of the afternoon and the 700th in the league since Brakes started back in August 2000.

 

Too many corners and free-kicks had been wasted throughout the match so, it was with some relief that captain, Craig Dutton, stepped up in the 77th to put over a precision corner from the left and Adam Cooper sent a powerful header past Maynard to record his first goal for the club and swing the vote for Man of the Match his way.

 

In the end it was a welcome 4-0 victory and, as the news came through that fourth-placed Quorn had beaten the Roms by the same margin, suddenly the target number of points had been reduced from 101 just over a week ago to 96. Even if the title is secured on Monday (and Racing Club continued their revival with a 4-3 win over Westfields at Hampton Road), it is not the end of the road. Stourbridge's two records of most points (101) and most wins (31) are achievable and manager Jason Cadden has his sights firmly set on these.

 

Commenting afterwards he said "It was a difficult pitch, which didn't help us play football. However, we made things hard for ourselves by missing a lot of chances. We should have been more lethal in front of goal and will have to be a lot sharper on Monday if we are to clinch the title."

Richard Morris; Jamie Towers (Liam Reynolds 74); Martin Hier; Adam Cooper; Andy Gregory; Craig Dutton [Capt.]; Stuart Herlihy; Jon Adams; Avun Jephcott (Josh Blake 65); Dave Pearson; James Husband (Tom James 70)

 

Subs Not Used Morton Titterton; Adam Knight

Paul Maynard; Peter Wood (Chris Dawson 55), Luke Bradley; David Clifton; Jamie Nicholls; Carl Martin; Andrew Yapp [Capt.]; Chris Field; Shaun Maynard; Luke Fuller (Craig Reid 55); Eudel Spence (Thomas Jennings 15)

 

Subs Not Used Anthony Gough; Myles Weldon